Nederland officials throw a shmucky wet blanket on Fourth fun

Okay, with the entire state a tinderbox, we can understand why private fireworks have been banned and Fourth of July fireworks displays were cancelled across Colorado. And it was precisely because of the dry conditions that the folks in Nederland came up with an alternative activity for the Fourth: a water fight. But then spoilsport officials in that town put a wet blanket on the fun.

Not only were Nederland's fireworks canceled, but town officials proclaimed the community-wide Fourth of July water fight at Chipeta Park that was planned as a replacement after the parade was a hazard and cancelled it because of insurance concerns. Nederland police officers would break up any frolickers they spotted, the town's Facebook page warned.

"It is not part of the permitted event and the Community Fair organizers are not willing to carry the liability for an unpermitted event held in the park over which they have exclusive use," Teresa Myers, Nederland town clerk, wrote in an e-mail to the Boulder Camera.

Oooh, an unpermited water right! Scary!

In these dry, dry days, it's hard to imagine that a town officials could be all wet. But with their shmucky behavior, Nederland's definitely qualify.